The Royals have asked the Rockies about Jorge De La Rosa, tweets Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. De La Rosa spent a few years with Kansas City before they dealt him to Colorado to complete the Ramon Ramirez deal in 2008. Earlier this month, Rockies owner Dick Monfort told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post the team aimed to do everything they can to keep De La Rosa, who is eligible for free agency after the season.

The Royals are talking with the Phillies about A.J. Burnett, but nothing is close, tweets Rosenthal. With bats in scarce supply, Kansas City is still exploring the pitching market, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star adds on Twitter.

Yesterday’s Updates

The Royals are in on Ian Kennedy of the Padres, along with the Pirates and Marlins (and still others), tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Of course, as Rosenthal notes, it is not clear that San Diego will deal away Kennedy.

Boston is looking for power pitching in return for Lackey, but K.C. places a high value on its young arms, tweets McCullough.

The Royals have indeed inquired on Colon, but got the sense that New York did not intend to move him, tweets McCullough.

As of earlier this morning, the Royals were unwilling to meet the Red Sox‘ asking price on Lackey, tweets Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. Kansas City remains interested if the price comes down, adds Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).

While the team is looking into adding a starter (and/or an outfielder or reliever), McCullough tweets, GM Dayton Moore says he is still counting on internal production to drive results.

Depends on how much $ the Mets are willing to eat. I would guess something along the lines of what the Sox got for Peavy or what the Indians got for Masterson. The problem is that until Lester and/or Lackey are dealt, there won’t be much of a market.

Personally, I don’t think he’s going to execute the player option. From everything he’s done, said, and that’s been reported, it doesn’t sound like he’s going to do it. The problem is, none of these teams want to trade for him UNLESS he guarantees that he won’t execute the option. From the reporters in Philly, all his teammates seem to think (and some have even said that he told them) that he’s going to retire. But when he’s asked about it by the media, he just says that he’s focusing on this season and his next game.

I’m also weighing in the fact that he’s hurt – and would have to rehab from his surgery he’ll get in the offseason. And you’ll excuse me if I put a little more stock in what he (allegedly) says in the clubhouse (to his teammates) over what he says on a local Pittsburgh radio show 3 weeks after being passed over for the start in the playoff game that got them eliminated.

How about Colon for Tim Collins (Mets can get second power arm lefty who has been good AND was drafted by Mets JP Ricciardi) and a low level prospect? I think that would be fair for both teams. I think Collins is in the minors anyway?

Yeah, KC isn’t on his nTC. In fact, that’s probably the best place for him. If there’s one team that doesn’t have to worry about him exercising that ridiculous 2nd year option, it’s KC. No way AJ would want to spend an entire year out there.

About Kennedy being moved… Even when I’m a fan of our starting rotation including him, Padres should sell high right now that he comes with another year of control. Would return a nice haul of prospects and the Padres still have Cashner, Ross, Hahn, Despaigne and they can put for grabs the 5th spot for next year (lots of options among our minor league studs and maybe a veteran cheap FA… No Stults please).

I would like to know his value. I’m guessing the asking price for him would push teams towards Price or Hamel. I mean if you’re going to move top prospects those guys are better. However if his value is less then I hope the Pirates make an offer.

Of course Cole Hammels and David Price are better, much better… you can build a team around them, but they are two months rentals.
I guess that the price will depend on the needs and philosophy of the acquiring team.
Do you get an ace for two months for your top 3 prospects (as apparently Phllies were asking for Hammels) or do you give 2 top prospects and another no so big time prospect for one year and two months of a good #2 or excellent #3 pitcher?

You are right, I made a mistake with Price and Hamels contracts. And I never said I preferred Kennedy over Price and Hamels. I would be crazy if I did. Just said that it depends on what a team is looking for… anyway, both Hamels and Price are controllable as you said, so this discussion has no foundation. Have a good one!

I would rather the Padres keep Kennedy, but couldn’t agree more, selling high on Kennedy would be a wise move. Dealing Kennedy for a strong prospect haul and then acquiring a guy like Gonzalez from the O’s would be fine with me.

De La Rosa is really underrated. Coors hitters are devalued for where they hit, so Coors pitchers should be bumped up for where they pitch. He’s very solid, would be a good get for KC for the stretch run.